Isobelle Duda

DUDA - It is with great sorrow that the family of Isobelle Duda announce her sudden passing. She was born on December 8, 1929 at Bladworth, SK and grew up on the family farm. Having attended Silver Lake School, her family dubbed her `the Silver Lake Beauty'. She married Ivan Duda on October 17, 1953. They initially made their home in Davidson, SK, where three of their four children were born. They moved to Saskatoon in 1959 and built the home that Isobelle and Ivan lived in until her death. She and her husband were active members of their parish and gave many hours of their time in service there. She was a member of the Women's League for many years and she will be paid tribute by an Honor Guard at her funeral service. Mom was an intelligent, talented woman who loved music. She taught herself to play many instruments by ear, the piano, guitar, accordion, violin and banjo; leading to Dad teasing her that her ear must get sore. She learned to read, write and speak Ukrainian, without any formal lessons. She was an excellent cook and baked bread that was the envy and delight of all her children and their friends. There were many wonderful Ukrainian Christmas feasts at her home over the years. She also loved to sew in her younger years and her children and grandchildren were the benefactors of many of Belle's designs. Many was the time that Mom could be found at her sewing machine, making a dress for a wedding that they were attending, that she had started only the day before! Mom's house was always immaculate and her love of the color white was evident throughout. She was teased about "loving any color, as long as it was white ". Isobelle is survived by her daughters, Janine (Dale) Johnston, Natalie (Creigh) Reed and Margaret Duda; grandchildren Lara (Curtis), Haley, Michael, Sheldon, Christon, Jonathan, Jennifer, Clinton and Dustin; as well as great granddaughters Jaden, Salome and Cassandra. She was predeceased by her parents Mary and John; son-in-law Philip in 1988, her husband Ivan in 1993, her daughterin-law Darlene in 1999 and her son Michael in 2002. The Vigil of Prayer will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2004 and the Divine Liturgy will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 2004 both from St. George's Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 214 Avenue M South celebrated by Rt. Rev. V. Mudri. Interment will take place in Catholic Section of Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to WESTWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL (653-3434).